The Saddest Song

Chapter 33

Rainey

I couldn’t go home. I had told my parents that I was spending the night with Rylee and Sophie so that I could be with Max. My heart was so heavy and I felt so tired. Tired of the mess that I made of my life. I needed to fix it, and I needed to start tonight. If Max had moved on, fine. I still needed to talk to him. I had so much apologizing to do. I needed closure if nothing else.

I decided to park near his house until he got back. I would talk to him before I had a chance to chicken out. I would make him listen. I pulled up, and turned off the car. I didn’t know how long he would be. I turned my phone off after ignoring dozens of calls from Rylee. I would deal with her and Sophie tomorrow. I would wait as long as I needed to. I had nothing but time.

I was awake until about one thirty and then my eyes grew heavy. I nodded off, then startled awake any time a car went by. I rubbed my eyes and kept waiting for his car to pull into his driveway. What was he doing at nearly two in the morning? I slammed the door on that thought. I didn’t want to know.

My thoughts were interrupted by headlights turning onto his street and then the familiar truck pulled into his drive. I opened my door and hurried towards his garage hoping to catch him before he went inside. I knew how he felt about doorbells that rang in the middle of the night. I need not have worried because instead of going into the house he came running towards me.

“Rainey,” he said, his fingers running frantically thru his messy hair, a nervous habit of his I knew only too well. “I have been looking for you everywhere.”

He didn’t touch me, but his voice was like a caress.

“I need to talk to you. I was waiting for you.” He nodded, and putting his hand on the small of my back guided me through the dark garage and into the house. We quietly made our way up the stairs and only when we were in his room with the door closed did we speak.

Taking my hand in his he pulled me down beside him on the couch. “You were there tonight.”

I nodded.

“Why?”

“I wanted to hear the song. Rylee and Sophie told me I needed to.”

“And what did you think?” He asked, his eyes staring into mine and making it hard to breathe.

“I loved it, but I saw you with Lalie and I knew you had moved on. I didn’t want to intrude.”

“Lalie means nothing to me.”

“Does she know that?”

“I think she has a pretty good idea. Nothing ever happened between us.”

“So, I’m not too late?”

“Meaning?” He smiled.

“Do you still love me?” It took all my nerve to ask that question, but I had to know.

“More than my life. I will always love you. We are soul mates Rainey, I’ve just been waiting for you to realize it.

“Oh Max,” I whispered. He leaned in and kissed me, gently.

“I love you too, Max. I’ve missed you so much. It’s been awful.” I admitted. He just nodded, and kissed me again.

“Rainey, I couldn’t have stood it if I didn’t know that one day we would be together again. Did you know that we are going to move to Santa Barbara for college, get engaged when we graduate, and spend a long, perfect lifetime together?”

“Max! We are? That’s not fair! You knew that all this time and you wouldn’t let Kara tell me?”

“Well, first off,” he said, kissing my nose, “You needed to really miss me to be able to admit your feelings for me. And second,” he said, pulling me into my arms, “we are a perfect match, and nothing will separate us again.”

He kissed me for real, leaving me breathless. “And third, Kara didn’t tell me anything. I’m predicting our future all on my own.”

“Wow! You are really good at it! And tell me, do you see yourself writing more songs about me in the future?”

“Oh, I see lots and lots of songs about you.”

“You do?” I smiled

“Mmhmm,” he nuzzled my neck, only the best kind of songs.”

“The best kind? What are those?”

“Happy ones.”

“Does that mean our happily ever after is about to start?”

“Oh Rainey, it already has.”





Acknowledgements

As I publish my second novel I want to thank all of those who were cheerleaders for my first one. Whether it was reading chapters, listening to plot points, passing out postcards, hounding your fellow readers or sharing on social media, you made sure that Charming was read. It is because of all of you and your amazing support that I was able to write The Saddest Song. Heartfelt Thanks to the following people:

Lalie Vallesteros, Diana Harris, Shannon Davis, Courtney Rogers, Kimberly Embry, Marion Peterman, Leigh Peterman, Judianne Graves, Rachel Graves, Irma Peterson, Christine Parke, Kathleen Pathi, Veronica Speck, Anesh Speck, Elvyna Kerrey, Danielle Roque, Kat Hoelck, Bill Graves and Darlene Graves

Special Thanks to Theresa Jackson at Orchard View Color for creating another awesome book cover.

While The Saddest Song is a work of fiction, Mark Kerrey isn’t. The drummer for both The Sam Bradley Band and Dubai, he is also a talented singer-songwriter. I have no doubt that you will be able to hear his amazing songs for yourself someday soon. Thanks Mark for letting me borrow you for my concert.

My awesome husband made sure that every Starbucks in San Diego had a Charming postcard on its bulletin board. Thank you honey, and thanks for making Charming the first book you’ve read since college!

Lastly, I would like to thank my beautiful children. Megan, Morgan and Mason, you helped me in a million ways during the writing of this book. Thank you for your honest criticism, editing skills, and song writing talent. I love you three beyond forever.